AMG-METABOLICS 2026 - Audacious Medical Grant: Metabolism – Microbiota
The Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS (Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique - FNRS - F.R.S.-FNRS) organizes various calls called Audacious Medical Grant (AMG) aimed at supporting audacious projects in the medical or biomedical field on a particular theme.
In this context, the F.R.S.-FNRS is launching an AMG call on metabolism and microbiota.
- Category
- Awards & Philanthropic Funding
- Profile
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Permanent research status (R3) and Senior research position (R4)
Financing description
Objective
The objective of the Audacious Medical Grant – Metabolism – Microbiota (AMG-METABOLICS) call is to support research projects at the interface of metabolism and microbiota with an original and audacious character but which do not find support in traditional funding circuits due to a lack of preliminary data, the absence of previous work or an unusual methodology.
The term “audacious” means that there is a significant risk that the project will produce little or no tangible scientific results because of its innovative nature or its complexity.
Scope
This call for projects aims to support audacious research at the interface of metabolism and the microbiota. Projects should explore mechanisms, interactions or causalities that are still poorly established between host metabolic functions and microbial communities (structure, dynamics, functions, microbial metabolism), including via emerging technologies or models (e.g. Integrated multi-omics, spatial metabolomics, gnotobiotic models, organoids/organ-on-chip, targeted interventions, etc.).
All levels of organization can be concerned (from the gene and metabolite to tissues, the organism and microbial ecosystems) and all approaches are eligible (fundamental biology, pathophysiology, nutrition, pharmacology, bioinformatics and systems biology, etc.).
Access conditions
Eligibility criteria
A research project is conducted by a promoter within a university of the French Community of Belgium (Communauté française de Belgique - CFB).
To be a promoter, one must:
- either be:
- Research Associate (Chercheuse qualifiée ou Chercheur qualifié - CQ);
- Senior Research Associate (Maître de recherches - MR);
- or Research Director (Directrice ou Directeur de recherches - DR) of the F.R.S.-FNRS;
- either carry out a Ulysse Incentive Grant for Mobility in Scientific Research (Mandat d’impulsion Scientifique – MISU);
- either carry out a FED-tWIN mandate;
- either hold an academic or scientific appointment on a permanent or probationary basis within the institution.
For further details, including any additional conditions that apply, please see the instrument's regulation.
Accumulation rules
The number of applications that can be submitted by a promoter is limited to one per call.
Important : only the conditions detailed in the regulations and the accumulation rules document will be taken into consideration for administrative control. The elements included on this page are for information purposes only.
Financing characteristics
Duration
The funding is for a period of 2 years.
Amount
The instrument allows you to request a maximum total budget of €120,000.
Eligible costs
The following cost categories are eligible:
- Staff
- Operating costs
- Equipment
For more information on staff eligibility, please see the instrument regulations.
For more information on the different categories and eligible costs, please consult the financial guide.
Submission of an application
Procedure
Submitting an application is done online on the e-space platform.
The application must be written in French or English.
Timeline
- Opening of the call: 05-06-2026
- Closing of the call:
- Promoter validation: 07-07-2026
- Validation of the rectoral authorities: 17-07-2026
- Evaluation: November 2026
- Funding decision: December 2026
- Start date of projects: 01-01-2027
Evaluation
Evaluation modalities
Applications are evaluated in 2 stages:
- An individual evaluation carried out remotely by experts
- An evaluation carried out by the International Scientific Commission SVS-2 of the F.R.S.-FNRS.
Evaluation criteria
The criteria taken into account in the evaluation of applications are as follows:
| Criteria | Weight |
Qualities of the promoter:
| 25% |
Qualities of the research project:
| 25% |
| Audacious nature of the proposal | 25% |
| Potential impact in the field of metabolism and microbiota and more broadly, where applicable | 25% |
Open science practices can constitute a valuable element of the file (and more particularly of the CV), without constituting a mandatory evaluation criterion.
Useful documents
Regulations : Rules and regulations of the AG instrument
Scientific part (to be completed while respecting the Instructions ):
Financial guide : Guide pratique sur les frais
Contact
Phone
Jackeline ROGGEMAN 02/504.93.42